Board of Trustees Action Items
Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Santa Cops

For many years, the Carbon Valley Santa Cops program has provided warm winter clothing and necessities to children in the Carbon Valley area during the holiday season. Hosted by the Firestone, Frederick, and Dacono Police Departments, this program is only made possible by generous businesses and individuals who donate gifts and money to benefit these local families. In October of this year, the Carbon Valley Santa Cop program hosted a golf tournament at Bella Rosa Golf Course to raise funds for the program. During Wednesday night's meeting, Bella Rosa Golf Course representatives presented the Board of Trustees with a check for this year's program.

The Board of Trustees and the Firestone Police Department thank the community for their generosity over the years.

For more information about how to support the families in the Santa Cops program this season, visit www.firestoneco.gov/SantaCops.

2025 Budget Approved

The Board of Trustees began reviewing the 2025 proposed budget in a Work Session on September 18 and reviewed the proposed General Fund budget. In subsequent meetings, during Board Meetings and Work Sessions, Town Staff presented all funds for review by the Board of Trustees.

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, after a Public Hearing, the Board of Trustees approved the 2025 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget.

2025 Water Rates Approved

During the Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, November 13, the Board approved Resolution 24-105, which set the Water Rates for 2025. The total increase is 13.2%. This increase is made up of a 5% increase based on the adopted 2023 Water Rate and Fee Study and an 8.2% increase which is directly related to the CWCWD increase and was determined to be the actual impact on the Town based on calculations and data analysis performed by staff.

The approved rates will be implemented starting in January 2025 and will be updated online here.

More Information

In July, the Town received notification of a new round of rate increases. Effective November 1, 2024, CWCWD began to impose water rate increases ranging from 11% to 20% and will increase the base rate by 17%. Based on data analysis and calculations by staff, the Town anticipates an 8.2% increase is needed to cover solely the CWCWD rate increase.
During the November 8, 2023, Board of Trustees meeting, the Board approved Resolution 23-119, adopting a new water rate structure that includes a residential class with 5 threshold tiers and 4 non-residential classes based on the 2023 Water Rate and Fee Study. This study evaluated water tap fees, infrastructure and storage fees, customer demand analysis, 10-year financial plans, cost of service analysis, and a water rate design. The primary purpose of this study was to ensure the financial sustainability of the water utility and to ensure the rates and fees recovered can adequately cover the costs of providing water service to Firestone customers.
The rate structure also continues the Board of Trustees policy that growth, not residents, pays for new water capital improvements. By utilizing revenues attributable to the Water Action Plan, the Town is also actually able to slightly subsidize water costs for current residents.

WCR 20 Bridge Construction Agreement

During Wednesday night's meeting, the Board approved a professional services agreement with JUB Engineering, Inc. for construction management for the WCR 20 Bridge Replacement Project.

In September 2024, Town Staff issued an RFP for professional services necessary to perform construction management services for this Replacement Project and received seven proposals. After review, JUB Engineering (JUB) was the top-ranked consultant.

JUB will consult with and advise the Town and act as the Town's Representative during construction. The consultant will be on-site to continuously observe the contractor's daily work, evaluate the quality of the executed work, and determine whether the work is proceeding according to the Contract Documents. JUB will also be responsible for all aspects of managing and ensuring compliance with the Colorado Special Highway Committee Off-System Bridge Grant Program during Construction.

Construction on this project is anticipated to begin this December.

Past Timeline for the Project

In October 2022, the Town applied for the CDOT Off-System Bridge Program Grant for the construction phase of the bridge replacement located at Pine Cone Ave (WCR 20) and Coal Ridge Ditch.
In February 2023, CDOT's Special Highway Committee awarded the Town a grant of $912,970.00. This grant includes $730,376.00 in federal funds with a $182,594.00 local match (80/20 split) to complete the construction phase of the bridge replacement project.
In March 2023, the Board approved the Bohannan Hutson, Inc. design contract for professional services necessary to design and deliver complete Construction Documents.
In August 2023, the Board approved an agreement) with CDOT to define the project scope, responsibilities, detailed funding amounts, and payment obligations.

Additional Information

View the complete November 13, 2024, Board of Trustees meeting packet and recording of the meeting here.

Board of Trustees Action Items are brief summaries of some, but not all, agenda items and do not serve as the official meeting minutes. To request approved meeting minutes of Board of Trustees meetings, please contact the Town Clerk's Office at townclerk@firestoneco.gov.

Board of Trustees Action ItemsWednesday, November 13, 2024